Alone

Human Rights Day is the world’s opportunity to “advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.” In other words, today perfect day for YOU to take action on something YOU care about. Bullying? Homelessness? The environment? Whatever it is, use this guide for small steps that lead to a big impact.

Today marks the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attack that killed thousands of people and launched the United States into WWII.  Ceremonies are being held at Pearl Harbor in remembrance of the 2,390 service members and 49 civilians killed in the attack.  If a last-minute trip to Hawaii to attend a ceremony is not in the cards for you, here are some ways you can observe the anniversary. 

Looking for a way to give back this holiday season? No worries, we've got you covered.  And even better – these are activities you’d probably be doing anyways...but now you can do them for a cause! 

According to The Department of Education, children who live below the poverty line or come from a non-English speaking home are much more likely to fall behind their peers in reading skills. What's worse, the inequality starts between kindergarten and 3rd grade.

Engage children with storytelling to teach them spelling and other literary skills.

You don’t have to be an animal expert to help out at your community’s shelter. You just need to have the time and desire to lend a helping hand. (And it doesn’t have to be a lot of time, either.) Here are a few ideas on how you can help!

Teach a class

Teaching shelter dogs to sit, stay, walk calmly on a leash or shake paws will make them infinitely more adoptable. The Humane Society and SPCA of Austin, TX, for example, have a team of volunteers who spend their time playing with puppies and taking adolescent dogs to obedience classes.

1. Find a shelter. Search for one near you.

• Don’t pass on a mean message or embarrassing picture of a classmate.
• Save an anti-gossip pledge to your phone. When you receive a mean message, send that person back the pledge saying that you won’t spread negative words or images.
• If someone is harassing you by text, save them and show someone who can help.

Do something (pun intended) about bullying in your school. Team up with friends and talk to a teacher, dean, or principal about it.

Distribute the nutritional information of food served in the school cafeteria and encourage your classmates to make healthier choices. Try one of these approaches to get the word out.

Everyone can make a difference. Whether it is recycling or cutting showers short, everyone has the power to help put an end to global warming. So what are you waiting for? Here are some ways you can help our planet.

Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. By using three CFBs, you will save 300 pounds of carbon dioxide and $60 a year.

Fill the Dishwasher

You don’t have to run your dishwasher every time you eat. By filling it completely, you can save $40 and 100 lbs. of CO2 emission a year.